December 2009 (#169)

Self-promotion - designers and illustrators have, generally, always been pretty good at it. Nevertheless it remains one of those tasks that can prove tricky. How exactly do you grab the attention of that art or creative director? What are the best tactics? How can you show how good you are without bordering on harassment? These are the questions we set out to answer in our Promote Yourself feature, in the mag this month.

Issue 169 features a free print created by the incredible Jon Burgerman just before he flew off to Beijing for his latest exhibition. If you like this kind of thing, let me know. You'll also find an interview with the king of characters himself in the magazine. And now is a brilliant time to subscribe - if you do, you'll get a limited-edition Jon Burgerman-designed 2GB USB card.

Elsewhere in the issue, Todd Alan Breland and Radim Malinic lend us their Photoshop know-how, while Stewart Hamilton-Arrandale brings his sublime ActionScript skills to the Technique section.

Finally, I'll give you a bit of info on what we're doing next issue (on sale Thursday 17 December in the UK). We've brought together the world's best creatives to tell you how to make it big in 2010 - and make it your best year ever. Look out for the stunning Serial Cut cover.

Oh, and make sure you join us on Twitter.

Enjoy the issue.

Rob Carney Editor

IN THE MAG

Output

Less is more
The new minimalists stripping digital design bare

Dongyun Lee
A beautifully observed hand-drawn aesthetic from this month's One to Watch

Studio of the Month
The Lab throws open the doors of its NYC warehouse

In Depth

Jon Burgerman interviewed
Our cover illustrator on being the king of character design

Promote yourself
Insiders' tips on putting your name on every AD's tongue

Code Computerlove
The new media agency on reaching its 10th birthday

Psychedelic revival
The new designers taking a trip down memory lane

Round Table
Leading creatives discuss Photoshop's effect on design

Technique

Photoshop murals made simple
Big it up with Radim Malinic

Flash ribbon effects
Create colourful, flowing ribbon graphics

Digital portraiture in Illustrator
Simeon Elson demonstrates this editorial staple

Inspiration Workshop
Illustrator Sam Green's fragmented reality

Master vector crossover
Speed up your production flow with Luke O'Neill

Personalised design, fast
Tony Harmer on making data merge work for you

Brief Encounter
Mike Harrison shoots and scores for Nike

Sexy geometry
Blocky illos get a Photoshop makeover

Spot colour best practice
Jo Gulliver on Computer Arts' cover secrets

Need to Know

See the light
Our guide to the latest LED monitor technology

CS5 for iPhone
We take a sneak peek at what Flash CS5 promises

Print your portfolios now
Why designers are hitting the books

Wacom Bamboo multi-touch
How hands-on design just got more accessible